Salt Lake evening Democrat. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1885-1887, 1887-05-23
CHANGES IN THE INTERNAL REV.
ENUE DISTRICTS.


The changes made in the Internal Rev
enue Collection Districts, which were de-
cided upon by the President, Secretary OF
the Treasury and Commissioner OF Inter-
nal Revenue, were made III the interest
OF economy, and will probably save, in
the matter OF salaries, throughout the
country, yearly, the amount Of $780,
900, as estimated by the three fun fnnc-
tionaries above mentioned. The change
consists in the general enl rgement of
the districts, thereby reducing the num-
ber OF collectors. With the exception OF
those OF the Pacific Coast, the dispatches
do not give the changes made, but with
the same proportion in other States and
Territorie, the cutting off of sala-
ries will doubtless amount to the
estimated sum. The Nevada district is
abolished, that State being attached to
the Fourth California, while Utah is to
be connected with the Montana district,
which vii onsist of that Territory, Idaho
and { The change will not affect
the pie OF this Territory. The
oa'. Inference being that the
Desi will report to the Montana
OTIS nstead of Nevada, as, form
era. he time and means OF COM
m4.i alton are about the same, and the
Ot.ia business OF this division will be
sarJe,ted to no additional delay or in
convenience. In our opinion 4 more
r4dica change in the entire Internal
Revenue system would prove beneficial
10 the government, in securing more eff
eient service at less than the present ex-
pense. The abolishment OF all OF the
Collectors districts and the consolidation
OF the entire business, now under the
intermediate direction OF the Collectors, al
Washington, would save at least fifty per
cent. OF the expense OF maintaining the
Collectors offices throughout the country,
which are nothing more or less than
hallway stations between the Di-
y,s,:. ?uties and the Internal Rev.
enue department. Much red tape and
circumlocution would be avoided by
reports direct from the divisions to the
Department, instead OF by the present
roundabout method. This would enable
the Government to pay for division depu-
ties services, such rates as would justify
competent men in devoting their entire
time to the service, without engaging
in other aYocations to enable them
TO exc out respectable livings, which
they cannot do under their present
niggardly salaries. Reasonable COM
pensation for such services, the necessary
increase in the clerical force at
headquarters, and the few additional
special agents which would perhaps
be required, would not amount
to hall the sum now expended in
the maintenance OF the District head
offices, most OF the business of which has,
under the present system, to be dupli-
Gated at the Commissioners Office at
Washington. The enlargement OF the
districts is step in that directien, and
probably in few years, unless the Inter
nal Revenue laws are repealed, the con-
solidstion system will be adopted. The
only regret experienced by THE DEMOCRAT
at the change is friendly one for Col
lector Skillman. He is true man, per-
sonally, officially and politically. Ee
has made a faithful and efficient
officer, and his district has always
been reported by the agents OF
the Government as one OF the best
conducted on the Pacific Coast. He has
the consolation of knowing that the loss
OF his position is attributable to no short
comings on his part, and that his office,
not himself, was set aside for the further
snce Of Democratic reform,